What the Tulsa Housing Authority does

The Tulsa Housing Authority (THA) is a public agency that manages public housing and rental information programs in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It owns and operates apartment complexes for low-income residents, administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and runs other information initiatives. THA does not set housing policy for the city — that is the city council's role — but it carries out the day-to-day work of running housing programs and maintaining properties.

The agency serves Tulsa County and the city of Tulsa proper. If you live outside Tulsa County, you would contact a different housing authority. THA's main office is located at 2 West 61st Street, Tulsa, OK 74103, and you can reach them by phone at (918) 582-7861.

Key Takeaways

  • The Tulsa Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and the Section 8 voucher program, which are two separate ways to get rental help.
  • Public housing is owned and managed by THA itself; Section 8 lets you rent from a private landlord if they agree to participate.
  • Both programs have waiting lists, and how long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and whether you have a priority status.
  • You can contact THA directly by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current wait times and what documents you will need.
  • THA also handles emergency information and special programs for people experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

THA owns and operates public housing — apartment buildings where the agency is your landlord. You pay rent based on your income, usually 30 percent of what you earn. THA maintains the building, handles repairs, and sets the rules for who can live there. Public housing in Tulsa includes complexes like Booker T. Washington Apartments and several others across the county.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. THA gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent, but you find and rent from a private landlord who agrees to accept the voucher. You pay the difference between what the voucher covers and the actual rent. This gives you more choice in where you live, but the landlord has to pass a THA inspection and agree to the program's terms.

Both programs have waiting lists. The length of the wait varies — THA opens and closes its lists depending on how many people are waiting and how much funding is available. You can call THA to ask whether the list is currently open for the program you are interested in.

How to contact Tulsa Housing Authority

The main office is at 2 West 61st Street, Tulsa, OK 74103. Phone: (918) 582-7861. You can also visit in person during business hours to ask questions, pick up forms, or submit documents. THA's website is tulsahousing.org, where you can find program information, current notices, and links to online portals.

If you are currently a THA resident or voucher holder, you may have a separate office or phone line for maintenance requests, rent payment, or lease questions. Check your lease or recent correspondence for those numbers.

What documents you typically need

THA will ask for proof of income, identity, and residency. Common documents include recent pay stubs or tax returns, a government-issued ID, and a utility bill or lease showing your current address. If you are unemployed, you may need to provide unemployment paperwork or a letter from a job search program. If you receive benefits, bring documentation from the agency that pays them.

You will also need to disclose any criminal history. THA has rules about what convictions disqualify you, and these rules are set by federal law and THA policy. You can ask THA directly what their specific rules are — they are required to tell you.

Bring originals or certified copies when you can. THA staff can tell you which documents they accept as copies and which they need in original form.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and Section 8 have waiting lists. How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you, how much funding THA receives, and whether you have a priority status. Priority statuses vary but may include people experiencing homelessness, people fleeing domestic violence, or people with disabilities.

THA does not publish exact wait times on its website, because the list moves at different speeds depending on funding and turnover. Call (918) 582-7861 and ask the current wait time for the program you want. They can also tell you whether the list is open or closed.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change — you might move, get a job, or have a change in family size. Tell THA about major changes, because they may affect your priority or your rent calculation.

Special programs and emergency information

Beyond public housing and Section 8, THA administers other programs. These may include rapid rehousing for people experiencing homelessness, emergency rental information (which varies by year and funding), and supportive housing for people with disabilities or fleeing domestic violence. The availability of these programs changes based on federal and state funding.

If you are in an emergency housing situation — homeless, about to be evicted, or fleeing domestic violence — call THA and describe your situation. They can tell you what programs are currently available and whether you may be a fit for one of them. Some of these programs move faster than the regular waiting list.

How rent is calculated in THA housing

In public housing, you typically pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income as rent. THA calculates your income based on what you report and what documents you provide. If your income changes, you must report it to THA, and your rent will be recalculated.

Some residents pay a minimum rent even if 30 percent of their income is lower. Ask THA what the current minimum rent is for the complex where you live or want to live. Minimum rents vary by property.

In Section 8, the calculation is similar, but the voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for your area and your income. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent the landlord charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the waiting list is open?

Call the Tulsa Housing Authority at (918) 582-7861 and ask whether the public housing list or Section 8 list is currently open. You can also visit the office in person or check tulsahousing.org for notices about list status. Lists open and close based on funding and demand.

What if I have a criminal record?

THA has rules about criminal history, set by federal law and agency policy. Some convictions disqualify you; others do not. Call THA and ask about their specific policy, or ask in person. They are required to explain their rules and tell you whether your record would disqualify you.

Can I stay in public housing if my income goes up?

Yes, but your rent will increase. THA recalculates rent based on your reported income. If your income rises significantly, you may eventually earn too much to stay in public housing, but THA will tell you when that happens and give you time to plan.

What if I need help paying rent right now?

Call THA and ask about emergency rental information or rapid rehousing programs. These programs vary by year and funding. THA can tell you what is currently available and whether you may be a fit. You can also contact 211 Tulsa, which refers people to local information programs.

Do I have to live in a specific THA building?

In public housing, THA assigns you to available units based on your family size and other factors. You do not usually get to choose the building. In Section 8, you find your own rental property, so you have more choice — as long as the landlord accepts the voucher and the unit passes inspection.